German Car Zone

S'Pimp · 02-02-2008, 06:38 AM

according exclusive story from german newspaper BILD:
BMW announce next few days new F1 testdriver: Christian Klien!
Formel-1-Testfahrer: BMW holt Ã–si Klien - Bild.de

shonguiz · 02-02-2008, 07:21 AM

Hein ???! Can you translate the important facts, everyone was expecting asmer, the only little matter with the finalization of his contract was his desire to compete in WbSR.

S'Pimp · 02-02-2008, 08:22 AM

Klien is considered as extremely ambitious and purposeful. In December it made at the side of Ralf Schumacher (32) test travels for the new team Force India. Klien was dailyfastest and got praise from many sides. Its problem: It wanted to also bring and could no sponsor millions to the team, fell therefore by rust. Also Mercedes was interested in the fast Oesi, wanted to get it into the DTM. But then BMW snatched too, lured with the Formel-1-Job. Klien fits perfectly the Bavarian Crew: It is young, but experience already much.
trans by babel

S'Pimp · 02-02-2008, 08:24 AM

NEWS: Asmer is second ( junior ) testdriver!

autosport.com - F1 News: BMW sign Klien and Asmer as test drivers

shonguiz · 02-02-2008, 08:28 AM

Then a much better article

Quote:

BMW Sauber will be launching into the 2008 season with a quartet of drivers. Austrian Christian Klien has been signed up as a test and reserve driver while Marko Asmer of Estonia comes on board as a second junior test driver.

"We wanted a third driver with Formula One racing experience," explained BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen, "as well as an up-and-coming young driver for us to train up to Formula One level. With Christian we have signed on a driver who is familiar with the format of a grand prix weekend and can step into the breach right away should one of our team drivers have to back out. Marko has driven our car four times since 4th December and has made steady progress. He has worked in a concentrated, focused and calm fashion. The feedback from the engineers bears positive testimony to him, and the chemistry between him and the team is right as well."

Klien switched to Formula BMW in 1999 following a career in karting. "That's where I learnt the basics of formula racing," he recalls, "and so joining the BMW Sauber F1 Team is a bit of a homecoming for me. I’m really pleased that I will be part of the team in 2008 and continue to be involved in Formula One."

Klien won the German Formula Renault in 2002 and was runner-up in the 2003 Formula 3 Euro Series. In 2004 he entered Formula One with the Jaguar Racing team. 2005 and 2006 saw him competing in F1 for Red Bull Racing. In 2007 he was a test driver for Honda.
His best Formula One results so far have been fourth on the grid and a fifth-placed race finish.

Marko Asmer says: "I always hoped for an opportunity to get into Formula One. Naturally I did everything I could to avoid any mistakes and to do a good job. I learnt a lot while driving in the tests at Jerez and Valencia, but also as a spectator and observer. I was given a very friendly welcome and got on just fine. I feel good in the BMW Sauber F1 Team and I’m very grateful to be a part of it now."

Asmer was Estonian, Baltic, Finnish and Scandinavian kart champion, dominated the World Kart Championship, and was honoured in 2001 as the world’s most talented kart driver. Formula Ford proved to be the most affordable way of gaining entry into single-seater racing. In 2003, Asmer came runner-up in the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch. In the same year he was invited to get behind the wheel of a Formula One racer for the first time to take a test for the BMW Williams team.

From 2004 on he competed in Formula 3. 2007 saw him commuting between the All Japan F3 Series and the British Championship, which he won with a commanding 11 wins and two further podium places.

E.A.
Source BMW Sauber

S'Pimp · 02-02-2008, 08:34 AM

Haha

got better news!
new thread

jack · 02-02-2008, 08:53 AM

i'm really happy for him, after red bull dropped him, it seemed that his F1 carieer was over

Remy Zero · 02-02-2008, 08:56 AM

IMO, Klien should have remained at Honda. he'd probably replace Rubens next year, should he remained there.

BMW_Dude · 02-02-2008, 11:27 AM

I heard somewhere that Klien had been called up for military service in Austria, seems this may not be true though!

I think it's great Klien is going to be the test driver, met him at the Honda F1 Charity open day, and he seemed a great guy, fast as well!

jack · 02-02-2008, 11:40 AM

i'm not shure if he has already done his 6month army service, but if not he has time until he is 32 years-old

German Car Zone

BMW Sauber F1 new Testdriver: Klien